Installation Guide

Driving or Jetting PVC Pilings
TuffDock Pilings can be installed using the accepted methods employed by marine contractors; jetting, drop hammer and vibratory methods are acceptable. TuffDock recommends that a drive cap be used for drop impact and vibratory hammer installations. Use of an impact buffer material, such as wood or hard rubber, between the pile driving cap and the hammer is recommended to moderate the impact. Do not exceed 10,000 foot pounds of impact energy, or the equivalent of a 2,000 pound hammer dropped 5 feet.

pdf Download a PDF of a drive cap.

 Lifting PVC Pilings
 When lifting TuffDock Pilings with a crane or jib boom, take care to use a protective, non-sliding friction material, so the piling isn't scratched and doesn't slip out of the choker.

See recommended choker strap @ www.boagrip.com.

Safety Alert!
Always use equipment rated for the weight you are trying to lift and inspect the equipment before every job.

PVC Piling Embedment Depth
Whether you are building a marine dock structure with TuffDock pilings or timber pilings, the stability of the dock platform is determined by the length, diameter and number of pilings installed, plus the embedment depth below the mud line. TuffDock recommends a minimum piling embedment depth of seven (7) feet.

TuffDock Products are intended for docks, piers and boardwalks. Local Code Authority should be consulted before installation of structures with specific load bearing capacities and for other zoning code requirements.

 Cutting PVC Pilings
To cut TuffDock pilings (up to 8-1/2-inch diameter) to the desired length or height, TuffDock recommends a reciprocating saw (Milwaukee® Sawzall®) with a 12-inch long blade with a 5/8 TPI (Milwaukee® Sawzall® AX 48-00-5021).

For TuffDock pilings above 8 ½ -inch diameter, TuffDock offers a specially modified Sawzall Blade that will cut 10 ½" and 12 ½" pilings. Another option is to pre-drill a clearance hole and use a jig-saw with a general purpose medium tooth blade.

It is not recommended to cut TuffDock pilings with a chain saw. Doing so will void the TuffDock Limited Warranty.

Drilling Holes in PVC Pilings
Standard drill motors and drill bits work well.

For holes up to 3/4-inch diameter TuffDock recommends a flat blade wood boring bit or a standard auger bit.

For holes larger than 3/4-inch diameter TuffDock recommends a forstner bit.

Recommended Attachment of TuffDock Systems to Structural Lumber
Among the benefits of the TuffDock Systems' solution: versatility in dock assembly. Whether you are planning a single or double stringer/header structure, TuffDock Systems have been engineered to attach easily, for simplified installation. Take a look at these engineering drawings… Contractors Installation Guide

 pdfDownload a PDF of the complete Contractors Guide.